Selling Your Body to Science, part 2
Last week I discussed my friend who is–in a sense–selling his body to science. Discussions ensued with my girlfriend and other friends. The question came up: Exactly how far would you go to sell your body to science? I was surprised that we all had different boundaries.
I, for one, will not sell my body to science. I am not comfortable with participating in research studies–especially the research studies that I see on craigslist. I know that $2000 is a sizable amount of money, but I wonder if any of these research studies will have unintended consequences down the road.
During the week, a friend admitted that–at points during college–he would sell his sperm. Yeesh. He said he made good money, but I can’t imagine the possibility of having Little Jimmy’s running around out there. And, one day, Big Jimmy is going to come knocking on his door. Big Jimmy II, III, IV may be right behind him, too.
(Although, I have to say: I sometimes with I was a woman. Women can sell their eggs for tens of thousands of dollars. Incredible. But, the above issue remains: what happens when, down the road, a person arrives at your door and calls you “mom?”)
So, I discovered that there are definite limits to my desire to find extra income. Possible health hazards or unknown offspring are areas that I don’t want to invite into my life.